Lipoxins (LX) are lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids generated during inflammation. LX inhibit polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) chemotaxis and adhesion and are putative braking signals for PMN-mediated tissue injury. In this study, we report that LXA4 promotes another important step in the resolution phase of inflammation, namely, phagocytosis of apoptotic PMN by monocyte-derived macrophages (Mφ). LXA4 triggered rapid, concentration-dependent uptake of apoptotic PMN. This bioactivity was shared by stable synthetic LXA4 analogues (picomolar concentrations) but not by other eicosanoids tested. LXA4-triggered phagocytosis did not provoke IL-8 or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 release. LXA4-induced phagocytosis was attenuated by anti-CD36, αvβ3, and CD18 mAbs. LXA4-triggered PMN uptake was inhibited by pertussis toxin and by 8-bromo-cAMP and was mimicked by Rp-cAMP, a protein kinase A inhibitor. LXA4 attenuated PGE2-stimulated protein kinase A activation in Mφ. These results suggest that LXA4 is an endogenous stimulus for PMN clearance during inflammation and provide a novel rationale for using stable synthetic analogues as anti-inflammatory compounds in vivo.

Abstract. Lipoxins (LX) are eicosanoids with antiinflammatory activity in glomerulonephritis (GN) and inflammatory diseases, hypersensitivity, and ischemia reperfusion injury. It has been demonstrated that LXA 4 stimulates non-phlogistic phagocytosis of apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) by monocyte-derived macrophages (M) in vitro, suggesting a role for LX as endogenous pro-resolution lipid mediators. It is here reported that LXA 4 , LXB 4 , the aspirin-triggered LX (ATL) epimer, 15-epi-LXB 4 , and a stable synthetic analogue 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA 4 stimulate phagocytosis of exogenously administered excess apoptotic PMN by macrophages (M) in vivo in a classic model of acute inflammation, namely thioglycollate-induced peritonitis. Significant enhancement of phagocytosis in vivo was observed with 15-min exposure to LX and with intraperitoneal doses of LXA 4 , LXB 4 , 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA 4 , and 15-epi-LXB 4 of 2.5 to 10 g/kg. Non-phlogistic LX-stimulated phagocytosis by M was sensitive to inhibition of PKC and PI 3-kinase and associated with increased production of transforming growth factor-␤ 1 (TGF-␤ 1 ). LX-stimulated phagocytosis was not inhibited by phosphatidylserine receptor (PSR) antisera and was abolished by prior exposure of M to ␤1,3-glucan, suggesting a novel M-PMN recognition mechanism. Interestingly, the recently described peptide agonists of the LXA 4 receptor (MYFINITL and LESI-FRSLLFRVM) stimulated phagocytosis through a process associated with increased TGF-␤ 1 release. These data provide the first demonstration that LXA 4 , LXB 4 , ATL, and LX stable analogues rapidly promote M phagocytosis of PMN in vivo and support a role for LX as rapidly acting, proresolution signals in inflammation. Engagement of the LXR by LX generated during cell-cell interactions in inflammation and by endogenous LXR peptide agonists released from distressed cells may be an important stimulus for clearance of apoptotic cells and may be amenable to pharmacologic mimicry for therapeutic gain.Rapid, efficient and tightly regulated recruitment and clearance of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) at sites of inflammation are essential components of effective host defense. Evidence from in vitro models and from histopathology suggests that tissue damage mediated by PMN is limited by apoptosis and subsequent phagocytosis of the apoptotic PMN by macrophages (M) and "nonprofessional" phagocytes (1). A direct role for PMN in tissue injury in inflammation and ischemia reperfusion injury of the kidney and other organs is well established (2). Impaired clearance of apoptotic cells by M has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory conditions, including glomerulonehritis (GN) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (3). The endogenous signals that promote clearance of apoptotic PMN from an inflammatory focus are still being defined. By dissecting out the mediator systems that regulate this process, it may be possible to design new pro-resolution strategies for inflammatory diseases.Lipoxins (LX), an acronym for...

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